This is a discussion on First STI within the New Member Hangout forums, part of the Community - Meet other Enthusiasts category; A few months ago i hocked my VW GTI 1.8t for an 05 STI, I know how to build up ...

First STI

A few months ago i hocked my VW GTI 1.8t for an 05 STI, I know how to build up a Euro (dad work on them for years). I did a lot of looking and this has been my dream car for years. Any ideas on where to start a build up?

I would recommend taking a good hard look at the tires and decide if they need to be replaced. That's usually my first concern on a used car. A really nice set of tires will probably run about $700 mounted/balanced and make all the difference in the world in the way the car handles on a day to day basis. Then I would think about doing some minor suspension upgrades like bushings and/or sway bars. A good performance alignment would also do wonders for the handling characteristics of the car...

Thanks for the the tip I am looking at new tires soon, and some new coil overs. Lots of good info on this site keeping me out of getting crap for my car Big THANKS to all!!!!!

you may want to think twice before geting coilovers. if auto-x and road racing are are things you do on a weekly basis then consider them. if not, i'd go another route, some springs that will work well with your struts (there are plenty out on the market)

read Big Sky's aligment sticky, it may shed some light on why a drop lower then 1.5in on a wrx is going to make your handling worse.

If I were you I would do the basic mods first. Especially focus on getting a better downpipe because I heard they give wrx's good power gains. Here are basic mods:
-catback exhaust
-cold air or short ram intake
-downpipe
-sway bars
-hid's
-strut bar
-throttle body
-intake manifold
-header
-performance spark plugs and wires
-brake pads
-WHEELS (change the whole look of your car)
-etc.

Also if you want more psi out of the stock turbo than a fmic is necessary.

If I were you I would do the basic mods first. Especially focus on getting a better downpipe because I heard they give wrx's good power gains. Here are basic mods:
-catback exhaust
-cold air or short ram intake
-downpipe
-sway bars
-hid's
-strut bar
-throttle body
-intake manifold
-header
-performance spark plugs and wires
-brake pads
-WHEELS (change the whole look of your car)
-etc.

Also if you want more psi out of the stock turbo than a fmic is necessary.

cat back- little to 0 power gain, just a noise maker
CAI-sqews the MAF sensor readings, you'll run lean and cause idle problems among other things
hid's- he has an STI, they come with HID's
intake manifold is never really an issue with a WRX/STI
throttle body is also not really an issue with the WRX/STI
if you like the way a honda sounds get headers, min power gains if any out of headers from a near stock setup
the wrx/sti have coil packs...no wires

the STI already has a great set of rims, light weight and strong, expect to pay an arm and a leg to get anything better then the stock rims.

Chip Flash is sounding like a good first mod, Worked out well on the VW i had, the 2.5 cat back my friend got not so much. I did talk him into a WRX but he has to sell his 1.8t first if any one knows any one in MD looking for one let me know and i will pass info along.

Thanks again to all of you!!!! The help is most appreciated

I am building my shopping list. A Cobb may be first thing on it. After a new sound system (the guy I got it from gave me a big cut in price because the one that is in the car now it CRAP!!!)

cat back- little to 0 power gain, just a noise maker
CAI-sqews the MAF sensor readings, you'll run lean and cause idle problems among other things
hid's- he has an STI, they come with HID's
intake manifold is never really an issue with a WRX/STI
throttle body is also not really an issue with the WRX/STI
if you like the way a honda sounds get headers, min power gains if any out of headers from a near stock setup
the wrx/sti have coil packs...no wires

the STI already has a great set of rims, light weight and strong, expect to pay an arm and a leg to get anything better then the stock rims.

A bigger diameter cat back exhaust is good because it minimizes back pressure. Why would a throttle body and intake manifold not help the wrx?

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